Lamp socket and connector for edge-lighted panel



March 1955 R. H. JENSEN LAMP SOCKET AND CONNECTOR FOR EDGE-LIGHTED PANEL Filed Aug. 4. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2. FIG. 3.

INVENTOR. H. JENSEN BYgflwa/ mma/ RODGER ATTORNEYS March 30,1965' R. H. JENSEN 3,176,255

LAMP SOCKET AND CONNECTOR FOR EDGE-LIGHTED PANEL Filed Aug. 4, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L'10 97 l 9| 9| W 95 J .1 93 1 "I I :L;

1/. C l '7 {155 H 92 //l m/I/ u l 1 INVENTOR. FIG. 9. FIG. ll. gy g gg ig gi United States Patent 3,176,255 LAMP SOCKET AND CONNECTOR FOR EDGE-LIGHTED PANEL Rodger H. Jensen, 217 Rose Ave., Venice, Calif. Filed Aug. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 47,555 3 Claims. (Cl. 339--1'7) This invention generally relates to a miniaturized apparatus for mounting in apertures or cavities of an edgelighted panel, and more particularly concerns improved lamp sockets (or fixtures as they are sometimes denoted) and connectors designed primarily for employment with printed circuit type edge-lighted panels particularly of the type embodied in aircraft and missile ground support structures.

The method of forming and/or composition of the panelas such forms no part of the present invention except as to the printed circuitry thereof to the extent that it may cooperate in combination with the socket and connector of the present invention. Edge-lighted panels are well known in the art. Furthermore, the use of printed circuitry in connection with edge-lighted panels has recently become standard practice in applications towards which the present invention is directed. In this respect, reference is made to Patent No. 2,847,560, entitled Lamp Socket and Associated Electrical Connecting Means, for example, as indicative of printed circuitry now employed with edge-lighted panels. Reference is also made to Patent No. 2,847,654, entitled Lamp Socket for Edge-Lighted Panel, which indicates generally the state of the art with respect to lamp sockets or fixtures for edge-lighted panels. Although various companies use different structural details, the latter lamp socket is typical of conventional practice with respect to this component.

A need has developed, however, for lamp sockets of miniaturized dimensions which will effect a savings in space and weight in the overall edge-lighted panel struc tures in which they are embodied, a factor of considerable importance in aircraft and missile applications. Furthermore, to increase design flexibility, it is also desirable that the lamp socket be reduced to minimum dimensions whereby it may be more closely positioned adjacent the particular indicia, instrument or dial device it is required to illuminate. These and similar design problems are well known to thoseskilled in the art, and the advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated by such individuals.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved miniaturized apparatus for mounting in an aperture (or cavity, in certain instances) of an edge-lighted panel which is designed to simply and conveniently form relatively permanent electrical connections with printed circuitry thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to providea miniaturized lamp socket for mounting in an edge-lighted panel, which may be employed to make electrical contact with two spaced circuits on one side of the panel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a miniaturized lamp socket in which the cap may readily be removed from the socket for lamp replacement, and

yet in which the cap will retain the lamp to avoid inadvertent breakage until it is manually withdrawn therefrom. A still further object of the present invention is to 3,176,255 Patented Mar. 30, 1965 ice provide an improved miniaturized lamp socket for mounting in the aperture or cavity of an edge-lighted panel, in which a minimum number of parts are employed and in which most of the parts co-function in both the electrical circuitry and the structure of the apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a miniaturized lamp socket for mounting in an aperture or cavity of an edge-lighted panel in which the lamp socket is so constructed that it may be readily manufactured and produced in sizes characterized by minimum overall dimensions, and yet which will be relatively rugged and maintenance-free in service and not requiring the need of skilled technicians for assembly or disassembly thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are generally attained by providing a miniaturized apparatus designed for mounting in an aperture or cavity of an edge-lighted panel characterized by a pair of spaced circuits on one side thereof, the apparatus including a generally cylindrical fixture or first member having a pair of spaced arms designed to form a series connection with one of the circuits. A plastic shell is included and is adapted to be secured within the aperture and moulded about at least a portion of the cylindrical fixture. A second member is incorporated within the shell and is disposed in radially spaced relationship within the first member. The second member also includes a pair of radially extending arms having portions thereof in a plane with the arms of the cylindrical fixture and designed to contact the other of the circuits.

In one form, the miniaturized apparatus may additionally embody a metallic cap coupled to the generally cylindrical member and a lamp disposed therein. Furthermore, retaining means would be provided with the cap for coupling and partially insulating the lamp relative to the cap. In addition, means would be provided on the second inner member for connecting with one terminal of the lamp, and means provided on the first generally cylindrical member for connecting through the cap to the other terminal of the lamp.

In another form, the miniaturized apparatus would have the first member provided with spaced slotted portions through which the arms of the second member would be designed to radially extend.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by reference to the drawings, showing merely illustrative embodiments, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of onepform of a miniaturized apparatus for mounting in an aperture of an edgelighted panel, the particular apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 being a lamp socket fixture for connecting to two circuits on the back side of the panel;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective View of the cap assembly of the lamp socket shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the base socket shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the base structure of the lamp socket of FIGURE 1 through a section taken in the direction of the arrows 44 thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a different embodiment of the miniaturized apparatus, illustrating another form of lamp socket in which both connections are made i to the front side of the panel;

FIGURE 6 is another view of the lamp socket of FIG- URE 5 taken in the direction of the arrows 66;

' circuits on'the backside of the" panel.

be noted that the drawings illustrate-the parts in an en-' FIGURE 7 is anexploded perspective view of the positive insert and base nut of the lamp socketshown'in FIGURES and 6;

FIGURE 8 is' a schematic view of one form of printed I circuitry to be employed in conjunction with'the miniaturized apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of a connector formed in accordance with the miniaturized apparatus of the present invention for use 'with the circuitry shown in.

FIGURE 8;

7 FIGURE 10, is another. viewof' the connector of FIG- URE 9 taken in the direction of the arrows 111-16 thereof; a

FIGURE 11 is an exploded view of the metallic parts of the connectors shown in'FIGURES 9 and 10; v

FIGURE 12 is a view of connector for making con- FIGURE' 13 is a schematic view of another form of printed circuit to be employed in conjunction with the miniaturized apparatus of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there isjshown in FIG- URE '1 a lamp socket formed in accordance with certain. of the features of the miniaturized apparatus of the 'pres-' ent invention illustrating an embodiment in which a lamp circuits 28. and 29 exposed 'adjacent the aperture Z'Zfor making electrical connections to the socket 10.

. nections in cases in which'the positive and negative cir g cuits of the panelmay'cross; and;

socket is employed for making connection totwo spaced larged scaleyand that the overalldiameter of the unit is only three-eighths of an inchfand its: overall-"length is 7 less than one-half an inch.

Initiallyfit is to.

V The lamp socket of FIGURE 1 is generally designated .by the numeral 10 andiincl ude s asi-ts main components" a cap 11 whichisthreaddly coupled at 12*Ito a base Y nut 13. Disposed within the base'nut 13is an'insert 14.

The base nut 13and insert 14 are held in spacedrigid-"l apparatus of the present inventiomQ in which the lamp socket: is designed to be mounted, from and have all conized relationship by a transparent ontrarislucent plastic shell 15. J Disposed within the'cap 11. is a lamp 16 biased spaced from the cap by an insulator '18.

"axially outwardly by a spring means 17 and radially A detailed' explanationfof the foregoing components electrical functions. 4 may now be described. i x j The cap 11 is preferably formedof an electrically con-: f

upper, closed end. The recess 19 istdesi'gn'edto acorn-1 and their respective structural ductive metal and includes a recessed portion 19 in "its modate one end of'a spring 217 andsretain 'it'within the 'cap 11. The other end of the spring 17] contacts one of the lamp terminals 20 such that the's'pring further functions as a conducting link between the terminal 20 and metallic cap 11.

- The insulator'18 is provided with a lower inner shoul der 21 which has an inner diar'neter less than the outer diameter of a flange 22 conventionally provided on -the lamp 16. The insulator 18 as more clearly shown in the view of FIGURE. 2, is provided withradially spaced ridge portions 18a suchrthat it may be frictionally forced into and retained withinthe innerside wallsofthe' cap 11. With such a construction, the insulator 18'will not only insulate the lamp (or more properly the metallic casing terminal thereof) from the cap 11, but'wil l also tend to axially limit movement of the lamp 1,6 outwardly of the cap 11.

Cap 11 is further provided witha flangev 23. of increased diameter which is designed to abut against the upper end 24 of the base nut 13 at such time as the capr 'l lis threadedly coupled at 12 tothe base nut 13. a

The nut13. also terminates in a lower flange 25'which is-designed to contact .the front, surface of'the panel and act asa light 'seal. Y

Thejedge-lighted panel as such, which generally designated'by the numeral 26, may 'be' of. conventional construction as employed with printed circuits, for ex- The base nut13 further'includes, as shown in FIG- URE 3, downwardly extending legs'30. Similarly, the insert 14 radially disposed within the base nut 13 also embodies downwardly extending legs 31. The legs 31 are bent -back as indicated 'at'32'in FIGURE 1, to contact the circuit 28; and the legs are bent back at 33 to contact thecircuit 29. Permanent fcircuit connections 10- may thereafter be made in a conventional manner by silver-soldering orthe like. Thus, the contacting portions 32 and sane in the same plane.

' Thus, the ground connections from the'circuit 29'ex tend through the legs 30 of the base nut 13 to'the cap 11 g threaded thereto at12, and thereafter through the'spring 17 to the terminal 20 of the lamp 115. The positive hot circuit extends from the circuit 28 through. thelegs 31 of the positive insert Hand, in turn to theother terminal 16;: of thelamp 16' which is adapted to abut against the annular portion 14a of the positive insert 14.

As shown in the .viewof FIGURE 4,"thejplastic shell 15 is closed off'at its bottomgend'l5a and furthermore is moulded in' such a manner that; the legs 30 of the base nut1 3' extend downwardly. paralleltto its outer side walls in substantially flush relationship thereto. On theother hand, the insert 14, which is held'in fixed inner'radial spaced relationship .to the base nut 13 by the plastic "shellphas itslegs angularly directed radially outwardly V nections made to'the front ,sideofithe panel. Thus, there is indicated a lamp. socket adapted to be connected to an edge-lighted panel 51, the panel 51 being provided with spaced circuits .52 and53 on thefront side thereof.

' The; socketv 50 includesa cap assembly 54 off'identical 2 construction to the equivalent capg ll and lamp retaining I and insulating components thereof, as shown in FIGURE 2. The capassembly54'isthreaded at.55 to a base nut 56.

The base vnut 56,-as more clearly. shown "in the view of FIGURE 7, includes a pai-rof-ra-dially-extending arms 57 and slotted portionsi58'. The slotted portions 58 are designed toaccommodate arm's 59 of a positive. insert 60. which is held in radiallyinwardly spaced relationship from the base nut 56 by a transparent or translucent plastic shell 61- extending into a POCkQtQOPCflVi'Ey 62 ,of

the panel 51. 'Inapreferred construction,the arms 59 areoppositely disposed and are positioned at rightang les to the arms. 57.; Howeven'the arms 59. and 57 would all lie inthe same plane for contacting the circuits 52 and53.

Y on they front side of the panel. The vground[connection would be from thespring connectedterm'inal of the lamp through the cap 54, through thejbase nut, 56, to. the arms 57, andthereafter .contacttheffcircuitry '53. .The other electricalconnection would be from the other terminal ,(meta'llic casing) of the, lampto the annular, positive insert 60 (inthe same manner as'from 16a to 14a,as.de- V scribedin conjunction with FIGURES 1 and 3), and thereafter t-hrough the arms 59 to the ci'rcuit'52.

FIGURE 8 is merely illustrative of, a schematic arrangementof circuitrywhic-h mightbe employedin conample, as described in Patent No. 2,847,560, and has an appropriate aperture 27 drilled therethrough with spaced junction with the lamp socketsof the minia ure apparatus of the present invention. Thus, in conjunction with the lamp socketstructure' of FIGURE 1,";there would be disposed onythe. back side of the'panel 26 circuits;63'and 64 equivalent to {circuits 28 .and 29, respectively. In consequence, theportions32 of thelegs 31 would contact the portions, 65 of the circuit 63. Similarly, the portions 33 of the l'egs30. would contact thev portions-66 of the circuit 64. Of course, other types of circuit arrangements could be employed, and th showing of FIGURE 8 is merely illustrative of a particular form of printed circuitry that may advantageously be used with either of the lamp sockets shown in FIGURES 1-4 and FIGURES 5-7, respectively. With the socket of FIGURE 5, the circuits 63 and 64 would be on the front side of the panel 51 and would be equivalent, respectively, to the circuits 52 and 53. Thus, the arms 57 would contact the portions 65 of the circuit 63, and the arms 59 would contact the portions 66 of the circuit 64. Of course, portions 65 and 66 would be provided at each aperture where connections to a I lamp socket were to be made. Any form of a conventional connection could be employed to conduct electricity to the circuits 63 and 64, although a preferred form of connector is shown in FIGURES 9-11 in accordance with another feature of the present invention.

As shown in FIGURE 9, the connector generally comprises an outer annular terminal 90 or female connector and an inner terminal 91 or male connector. These parts are perhaps more clearly shown in th perspective view of FIGURE 11.

The terminal 90 includes a spool-shaped portion 92 adapted to fit within a panel opening. The spool-shaped portion 92 has formed therein cutouts or slots 93 and terminates at its lower end in a reduced diameter connecting portion 94 provided with slits 95.

Disposed radially within the female terminal 96 is the male member 91, previously referred to, which includes a pin male connection portion 97 and radially extending arms 98. The member 91 terminates at its upper end in a flange portion 99 adapted to be aligned with the spool portion 92 of the female connector portion 90.

As indicated in the views of FIGURES 9 and 10, the male terminal 91 and female terminal 90 are integrally moulded in a plastic core 100 for mounting in an aperture of an edge-lighted panel. Towards this end, the spool portion 92 of the female terminal 90 and the flange portion 99 of the male terminal 91 serve to securely retain these members in the plastic core 190.

In assembling the various lamp sockets and connectors previously described, it should be noted that the plastic shell or core, as the case may be, is fitted closely within the corresponding aperture of an edge-lighted panel.

-Thereafter, a liquid cement is applied which is attracted by a capillary action to tightly and securely hold the plastic material within the aperture. Of course, other means of retaining the plastic shell or core could be employed so long as the lighting desired is not impaired.

It will be evident however that in the event the lamp need be replaced (for example in conjunction with the lamp socket shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 5) it is only necessary to unscrew the cap and manually grip and force the insulator from the interior thereof. The lamp may then be readily removed from the inner end of the insulator and a new lamp placed therein; and the insulator and lamp may thereafter be forced back into the cap unit.

It will be appreciated that in certain instances it may be necessary to have the positive or hot circuit cross over the negative or ground circuit at locations where light sockets or fixtures are not disposed. Towards this objective a cross-connector of the form illustrated in FIG- URE 12 could be employed.

to contact circuit portions 126.

By moulding the conductors directly in the plastic material, the possibility of short circuits is substantially eliminated, and the unit will give satisfactory maintenance-free operation over a long period of time.

Since the standards and electrical specifications relative to the detailed structure of the panel are well known to those skilled in the art, no effort has been made to more than generally refer to the panel fabrication or layered composition.

It will be appreciated that many variations and changes may be made in the miniaturized apparatus of the present invention as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Thus, there is shown in FIGURE 13 an illustrative embodiment in which only a single pair of conducting arms or legs are employed to make circuit connections from he lamp socket fixture. In such instance, the aperture or cavity for the lamp socket would be disposed between one circuit and another circuit 131. Plastic shell or core is indicated by the numeral 132 and would be disposed within an aperture or cavity 133. The portions 134 and 135 contacting, respectively, circuits 130 and 131 are equivalent to a contacting portion 32 and contacting portion 33 of 90 degree spaced legs of FIGURE 1, for example. Also, as will be obvious, the portions 134 and 135 are equivalent, respectively, to a contacting portion 59 and portion 57 of FIGURE 5.

In consequence, with the circuit of FIGURE 13, only one conducting aim or leg of the base nut and one conducting arm or leg of the positive insert would be required. It is also apparent that the connectors of FIG- URE 11 and FIGURE 12 could also be modified for use with the circuit of FIGURE 13 by eliminating one of the conducting arms or legs of each terminal.

It will furthermore be appreciated that in the event one of the circuits were on the front side of the panel and one of the circuits on the back side of the panel, the flange 25 of the base nut (as seen in FIGURES 1 and 3) could be employed to make connection with the circuit on the front side of the panel, thereby eliminating the necessity of legs 30.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that according to the specific application requirements, various features of the present invention for miniaturized apparatus for mounting in an edge-lighted panel could be modified and varied. The present invention is therefore not deemed to be limited to the specific illustrative embodiments shown and described, but rather as defined by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A miniaturized lamp socket .for mounting in an aperture of an edge-lighted panel having spaced circuits on one side thereof, said lamp socket comprising: a first conductive generally cylindrical member having a first pair of spaced legs with portions designed to extend through said aperture and contact one of said circuits; a plastic shell designed to be secured within said aperture, said legs of said first member being molded into said plastic she-ll; a second conductive member radially disposed within said shell and having a second pair of legs with portions thereof designed to extend through said aperture and contact the other of said circuits, said legs of said second member being molded within said plastic shell; a metallic cap member connected to said first member; a lamp disposed within said camp member, said lamp having an angulated annular terminal flange adjacent the bulb portion thereof; lamp-retaining means within said cap for retaining said lamp within said cap; spring means axially interposed between the pin terminal of said lamp and said cap to form an electrical connection therebetween; and an annular portion formed on said second member for contacting said annular terminal of said lamp, said spring means also serving to axially urge said angulated annular terminal of said lamp against said annular portion of said second member to form the other electrical connection.

' 2. A'iamp socket, according to I, and cylindrical insulating means disposedwithin said cap} said insulating means functioning as said lamp-retaining means and being further: designed to insulate one electrical connection. from the other electrical connection, j I

3. Alamp socket, according to claim 2; in rwhich wsaid lamp is provided with a radially. outwardly-extending flange near the pin terminal end thereof, and in whieh said insulating means is provided with a'radialiyinwardly-e19v tending flange, whereby said insulating means is designed to have its inner flange limit moyement of said lamp out- References Cited intheme of this patent V I UNITED STATES P ATENTSI 1, 24,954 Rope id; Feb. 25, 1958 7 2,835,789, Roper- May 20; 1958 2,847,654 Peak et a1. Aug.,12,V195 8 

1. A MINIATURIZED LAMP SOCKET FOR MOUNTING IN AN APERTURE OF AN EDGE-LIGHTED PANEL HAVING SPACED CIRCUITS ON ONE SIDE THEREOF, SAID LAMP SOCKET COMPRISING: A FIRST CONDUCTIVE GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL MEMBER HAVING A FIRST PAIR OF SPACED LEGS WITH PORTIONS DESIGNED TO EXTEND THROUGH SAID APERTURE AND CONTACT ONE OF SAID CIRCUITS; A PLASTIC SHELL DESIGNED TO BE SECURED WITHIN SAID APERTURE, SAID LEGS OF SAID FIRST MEMBER BEING MOLDED INTO SAID PLASTIC SHELL; A SECOND CONDUCTIVE MEMBER RADIALLY DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SHELL HAVING A SECOND PAIR OF LEGS WITH PORTIONS THEREOF DESIGNED TO EXTEND THROUGH SAID APERTURE AND CONTACT THE OTHER OF SAID CIRCUITS, SAID LEGS OF SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING MOLDED WITHIN SAID PLASTIC SHELL; A METALLIC CAP MEMBER CONTACT TO SAID FIRST MEMBER; A LAMP DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CAMP MEMBER, SAID LAMP HAIVNG AN ANGULATED ANNULAR TERMINAL FLANGE ADJACENT THE BULB PORTION THEREOF; LAMP-RETAINING MEANS WITHIN SAID CAP FOR RETAINING SAID LAMP WITHIN SAID CAP; SPRING MEANS AXIALLY INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE PIN TERMINAL FLANGE ADJALAMP AND SAID CAP TO FORM AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION THEREBETWEEN; AND AN ANNULAR PORTION FORMED ON SAID SECOND MEMBER FOR CONTACTING SAID ANNULAR TERMINAL OF SAID LAMP, SAID SPRING MEANS ALSO SERVING TO AXIALLY URGE SAID ANGULATED ANNULAR TERMINAL OF SAID LAMP AGAINST SAID ANNULAR PORTION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER TO FORM THE OTHER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. 